jon357
22 Jul 2014
jon357
22 Jul 2014
History / Restoration of Poland's Monarchy? [40]
People are largely happy with the system in place now and there's no great desire to go back to something they see as an anachronism.
Would you say that was circumstantial (the character of monarchic rulers, Polish and global economy and wars at the time, impending annexations, etc), or the fault of the monarchy overall?
People are largely happy with the system in place now and there's no great desire to go back to something they see as an anachronism.
jon357
22 Jul 2014
History / Restoration of Poland's Monarchy? [40]
There are a few monarchists in PL however it's a fringe thing. I've never heard anyone seriously propose restoring a monarchy, and indeed when one existed it didn't end well.
There are a few monarchists in PL however it's a fringe thing. I've never heard anyone seriously propose restoring a monarchy, and indeed when one existed it didn't end well.
jon357
22 Jul 2014
Life / What type of gift should i buy for my hosts in Poland? [22]
I don't mind them every now and again, however since every petrol station and corner shop has hundreds of boxes of them for a few pence each it wouldn't make a great gift - a bit like going to the UK from a foreign country and giving a gift of a bag of Mars Bars.
Delicious! But again, a bit close to home, especially since the OP is flying in from another country.
I don't mind them every now and again, however since every petrol station and corner shop has hundreds of boxes of them for a few pence each it wouldn't make a great gift - a bit like going to the UK from a foreign country and giving a gift of a bag of Mars Bars.
plums in chocolate from Solidarność (Solidarność Śliwka Nałęczowska). The perfect Polish gift
Delicious! But again, a bit close to home, especially since the OP is flying in from another country.
jon357
22 Jul 2014
Life / What type of gift should i buy for my hosts in Poland? [22]
I thought of flowers right away, however since he's coming from abroad it would be nicer to bring something with him. And Ptasie Mleko are the same. Plus they're cheap and.nasty, synthetic and not actually very nice.
I thought of flowers right away, however since he's coming from abroad it would be nicer to bring something with him. And Ptasie Mleko are the same. Plus they're cheap and.nasty, synthetic and not actually very nice.
jon357
21 Jul 2014
Life / What type of gift should i buy for my hosts in Poland? [22]
Take your shoes off when you go into they're home. Continue to take them off even if they say there's no need when you've got them half off. Greet and shake the hand of the ladies before the men (and of course stand when a lady enters the room). And never, ever, shake hands across the threshold of a door; it's considered bad luck and people don't generally do it in PL.
Take your shoes off when you go into they're home. Continue to take them off even if they say there's no need when you've got them half off. Greet and shake the hand of the ladies before the men (and of course stand when a lady enters the room). And never, ever, shake hands across the threshold of a door; it's considered bad luck and people don't generally do it in PL.
jon357
21 Jul 2014
Life / What type of gift should i buy for my hosts in Poland? [22]
I think unless he knows them well, he should be careful with drink. I'd certainly appreciate it, but I know others that wouldn't. There are also those panettone cakes that come nicely wrapped that might be ok.
I think unless he knows them well, he should be careful with drink. I'd certainly appreciate it, but I know others that wouldn't. There are also those panettone cakes that come nicely wrapped that might be ok.
jon357
21 Jul 2014
Life / What type of gift should i buy for my hosts in Poland? [22]
It just doesn't seem polite and I've heard people advise against it before in PL.
Unless it's very expensive whisky for example, which may well not be what his friend's granny would appreciate :-)
It just doesn't seem polite and I've heard people advise against it before in PL.
Unless it's very expensive whisky for example, which may well not be what his friend's granny would appreciate :-)
jon357
21 Jul 2014
Life / What type of gift should i buy for my hosts in Poland? [22]
Those Italian Amarone biscuits are nice and no problem in luggage (plus every airport there should sell them so you can pick some up after the barrier).
Don't, whatever you do, take alcohol.
Those Italian Amarone biscuits are nice and no problem in luggage (plus every airport there should sell them so you can pick some up after the barrier).
Don't, whatever you do, take alcohol.
jon357
21 Jul 2014
Genealogy / Where did most Germans live in Poland in the 19th century? [26]
But it was finally done. £ódź, built as a New Town and the westernmost in the Russian Empire, put there for access to German markets has always had a rich history of pluralism.
But it was finally done. £ódź, built as a New Town and the westernmost in the Russian Empire, put there for access to German markets has always had a rich history of pluralism.
jon357
21 Jul 2014
Life / What type of gift should i buy for my hosts in Poland? [22]
Where are you from? Why not bring a gift typical of your home country?
Where are you from? Why not bring a gift typical of your home country?
jon357
21 Jul 2014
Genealogy / Where did most Germans live in Poland in the 19th century? [26]
The same thing that made Bradford one, only more so: a substantial population of merchants and business people This is acknowledged today by the city museum.
The same thing that made Bradford one, only more so: a substantial population of merchants and business people This is acknowledged today by the city museum.
jon357
21 Jul 2014
UK, Ireland / Why are Brits so left-wing? [60]
Who decides that something isn't. This is a place for discussion after all. The names of a couple of those websites are by the way a clue to their content.
Given that Poland is the biggest net recipient of EU subsidies, I don't think anyone there should worry about the expense. Anyway, the money comes from the taxpayer and not all of us who pay tax are Poles. Be careful though of thinking thy what people write on the internet is reflective of public opinion. If someone read this site and based their impression of Pl on it, what would they think?
I go there most months (and lived there for many years) and see more harmony than discord. Don't rely too much on what you see in the media - they only report the newsworthy stuff. The other 99.9% isn't interesting enough to rile people. Who in the UK mostly don't get all worked up about minorities.
The UK isn't especially left-wing or right. What it does have is a history of consensus politics and loyal opposition as well as strong communities. Only the exceptions to this tend to make headlines in the media.
What do you mean I post "race hate sites"? who decides which one is racist and which ain't
Who decides that something isn't. This is a place for discussion after all. The names of a couple of those websites are by the way a clue to their content.
Also I have read on some Polish Forum an outrage that Poland will accept refuges from Malta who arrived there from Africa..
{EU quota for immigrant distribution)
There was an outrage that the State will accommodate them at Poles expense.
{EU quota for immigrant distribution)
There was an outrage that the State will accommodate them at Poles expense.
Given that Poland is the biggest net recipient of EU subsidies, I don't think anyone there should worry about the expense. Anyway, the money comes from the taxpayer and not all of us who pay tax are Poles. Be careful though of thinking thy what people write on the internet is reflective of public opinion. If someone read this site and based their impression of Pl on it, what would they think?
Plus I do travel to the UK extensively and see what is going on there on my own eyes.
And I don't see any racial harmony there.
And I don't see any racial harmony there.
I go there most months (and lived there for many years) and see more harmony than discord. Don't rely too much on what you see in the media - they only report the newsworthy stuff. The other 99.9% isn't interesting enough to rile people. Who in the UK mostly don't get all worked up about minorities.
The UK isn't especially left-wing or right. What it does have is a history of consensus politics and loyal opposition as well as strong communities. Only the exceptions to this tend to make headlines in the media.
jon357
21 Jul 2014
Genealogy / Where did most Germans live in Poland in the 19th century? [26]
I think it's important not to be potentially provocative and use names like Pozen, Oppeln etc. In any case, we're writing in English, a language where the official names of the city are used, and we're also writing in a forum about Poland - where the official names are also used.
I think it's important not to be potentially provocative and use names like Pozen, Oppeln etc. In any case, we're writing in English, a language where the official names of the city are used, and we're also writing in a forum about Poland - where the official names are also used.
jon357
21 Jul 2014
Genealogy / Where did most Germans live in Poland in the 19th century? [26]
Exactly. It's a delicate question and open to confusion. I think you've got confused though. 'Oppeln' is an old name. The city is called Opole.
Exactly. It's a delicate question and open to confusion. I think you've got confused though. 'Oppeln' is an old name. The city is called Opole.
jon357
20 Jul 2014
UK, Ireland / Why are Brits so left-wing? [60]
There are no such thing as 'Chinese rape gangs' in the UK. Perhaps you're thinking of organised crime which is not exclusive to one group.
By the way, some of your dodgy links (do you really need to post links to race hate sites) are about other countries. Not the UK at all.
How do they call them?
There are no such thing as 'Chinese rape gangs' in the UK. Perhaps you're thinking of organised crime which is not exclusive to one group.
By the way, some of your dodgy links (do you really need to post links to race hate sites) are about other countries. Not the UK at all.
jon357
20 Jul 2014
Genealogy / Looking for city of Siedlitz, Poland [17]
That ones the Siedlce near Warsaw, the one that's most likely.
That ones the Siedlce near Warsaw, the one that's most likely.
jon357
20 Jul 2014
UK, Ireland / Why are Brits so left-wing? [60]
In the UK, the term Asian isn't really used for people from the Far East.
The cases she's talking about were young men of Pakistani origin. Though the cases are isolated and not exclusive to that community. To hear some people talking, you'd think it was an everyday thing. By the way, no cover up and it wasn't the press that raised the issue, it was a Labour MP, Ann Cryer.
"Asian gang" is Politically Correct term.
In the UK, the term Asian isn't really used for people from the Far East.
Pakistanis
The cases she's talking about were young men of Pakistani origin. Though the cases are isolated and not exclusive to that community. To hear some people talking, you'd think it was an everyday thing. By the way, no cover up and it wasn't the press that raised the issue, it was a Labour MP, Ann Cryer.
jon357
20 Jul 2014
Food / Where to buy "yerba mate" in Poland? [20]
When I used to drink it, I found it used to go stale quite quickly and you wouldn't get the effect from it. Usually better to buy it in smaller quantities and in sealed packets. That's one reason Kuchnia Swiata is good, and of course they have a fairly high turnover so you can be sure it hasn't been in the stock room for 3 years. Sure, you can find it for sixpence cheaper if you go to a shop a few miles away bur at KS at least you know it'll be decent.
a large bag that will last months
When I used to drink it, I found it used to go stale quite quickly and you wouldn't get the effect from it. Usually better to buy it in smaller quantities and in sealed packets. That's one reason Kuchnia Swiata is good, and of course they have a fairly high turnover so you can be sure it hasn't been in the stock room for 3 years. Sure, you can find it for sixpence cheaper if you go to a shop a few miles away bur at KS at least you know it'll be decent.
jon357
20 Jul 2014
Genealogy / Where did most Germans live in Poland in the 19th century? [26]
It's a bit of a non-question really. Do you mean the parts of the country that were given to Poland after the war and were always historically Germany lived in by Germans or do you mean those parts of the country that were in the German partition during the nineteenth century, given to Poland when it was recreated in 1918 and had a mix of Polish and some German inhabitants?
I know that there was no Poland at that time. I meant the area that is now Poland.
It's a bit of a non-question really. Do you mean the parts of the country that were given to Poland after the war and were always historically Germany lived in by Germans or do you mean those parts of the country that were in the German partition during the nineteenth century, given to Poland when it was recreated in 1918 and had a mix of Polish and some German inhabitants?
jon357
20 Jul 2014
Genealogy / Trying to find information about my grandad (Emil Wink) and possible family from Warsaw [10]
Only if they were actively involved when he left PL.
Only if they were actively involved when he left PL.
jon357
20 Jul 2014
Food / Where to buy "yerba mate" in Poland? [20]
They do have a very good range and are specialists in it.
I am not an advocate of Kuchnia Swiata I believe them to be overpriced and over hyped
They do have a very good range and are specialists in it.
jon357
20 Jul 2014
Food / Where to buy "yerba mate" in Poland? [20]
Kuchnia Swiata are the best, they also sell the special cups. A big range of Yerba mate.
Kuchnia Swiata are the best, they also sell the special cups. A big range of Yerba mate.
jon357
20 Jul 2014
Genealogy / Searching for information about Zosia Cytryn and Stanislaw Romuald Hochedlinger [9]
It's almost certainly an ł. It's pronounced like a w, but older people sometimes pronounce it mid way between an l and a w, so Stanisław.
There are very few aristocrats from Poland, lot's of szlachta, which some people describe as nobles and others describe as gentlefolk (lots of discussion on here over the years) but few of them were titled since they were all theoretically equal to each other. They did however have their own special traditions etc. Since the name Hovhedlinger isn't Polish, he could well have been an aristocrat whose title derived from elsewhere.
It's very possible that your great grandmother isn't the same Zosia Cytryn that is on the list of people in the ghetto. Zosia, by the way, is short for Zofia.
It's almost certainly an ł. It's pronounced like a w, but older people sometimes pronounce it mid way between an l and a w, so Stanisław.
There are very few aristocrats from Poland, lot's of szlachta, which some people describe as nobles and others describe as gentlefolk (lots of discussion on here over the years) but few of them were titled since they were all theoretically equal to each other. They did however have their own special traditions etc. Since the name Hovhedlinger isn't Polish, he could well have been an aristocrat whose title derived from elsewhere.
It's very possible that your great grandmother isn't the same Zosia Cytryn that is on the list of people in the ghetto. Zosia, by the way, is short for Zofia.
jon357
20 Jul 2014
Genealogy / Finding information about ancestors born in Vilnius [6]
It doesn't make much difference really. A lot of people in Germany have some distant Polish roots and vice versa.
Not easily - in those days a photo was a very big thing and poorer people would borrow clothes at the photographers studio.
Do they look Polish? The three sons are 25% German
It doesn't make much difference really. A lot of people in Germany have some distant Polish roots and vice versa.
Also, do you think you can tell their social class from this photo?
Not easily - in those days a photo was a very big thing and poorer people would borrow clothes at the photographers studio.
jon357
20 Jul 2014
Genealogy / Searching for information about Zosia Cytryn and Stanislaw Romuald Hochedlinger [9]
If you google Zosia Cytryn (the way you wrote it is certainly incorrect) something comes up. There are also names of people who are probably family members. Unfortunately something very sad; it's a reference to the Warsaw Ghetto.
If you google Zosia Cytryn (the way you wrote it is certainly incorrect) something comes up. There are also names of people who are probably family members. Unfortunately something very sad; it's a reference to the Warsaw Ghetto.
jon357
19 Jul 2014
Genealogy / Trying to find information about my grandad (Emil Wink) and possible family from Warsaw [10]
There are 112 people called that in Poland now. It doesn't have to be a Polish name for him to be Polish - there are people in PL with names from other countries, just as there are English people called, say, Lambert.
Why not have a look on Nasza Klasa (a bit like Facebook but Polish) or on moikrewni.pl, (moi krewni means my relatives) a bit like Genes Reunited? Because there are so few people with that name you have a good chance of finding a relative.
There are 112 people called that in Poland now. It doesn't have to be a Polish name for him to be Polish - there are people in PL with names from other countries, just as there are English people called, say, Lambert.
Why not have a look on Nasza Klasa (a bit like Facebook but Polish) or on moikrewni.pl, (moi krewni means my relatives) a bit like Genes Reunited? Because there are so few people with that name you have a good chance of finding a relative.
jon357
19 Jul 2014
Genealogy / Looking for city of Siedlitz, Poland [17]
There should be. Many records and archives in that part of Poland were lost during the war however the town hall should be able to advise and also parish records (though there are many parishes there) and of course your aunt could have been born anywhere in the county (which was larger in those days).
There should be. Many records and archives in that part of Poland were lost during the war however the town hall should be able to advise and also parish records (though there are many parishes there) and of course your aunt could have been born anywhere in the county (which was larger in those days).
jon357
19 Jul 2014
Genealogy / Looking for city of Siedlitz, Poland [17]
It was referred to outside Poland as Siedlitz and remember that this is a document made by an American official (notorious for garbling foreign place names and even surnames) rather than someone in Poland so it may be possible.
The changes to place names etc didn't happen overnight - they had a lot to do. Harry is right though - in the Russian zabór they wouldn't have used the German name of the town (unless it was the brief period during World War One that the Germans controlled the town, and even then probably not) but then again, the document you have isn't a Polish one.
Remember there were mass population movements and most of the pre-war inhabitants of Gdansk left at the end of the war or just after. The people there who share your surname may well have come from somewhere else. Have you seen the surname map on moikrewni.pl?
It was referred to outside Poland as Siedlitz and remember that this is a document made by an American official (notorious for garbling foreign place names and even surnames) rather than someone in Poland so it may be possible.
I do know there are people from Gdansk who share my last name but have no idea if we are relations. I'm working on that.
If it wasn't until 1918 that Poland was an independent country it's possible that his town had the old German spelling if he were born prior to that correct?
The changes to place names etc didn't happen overnight - they had a lot to do. Harry is right though - in the Russian zabór they wouldn't have used the German name of the town (unless it was the brief period during World War One that the Germans controlled the town, and even then probably not) but then again, the document you have isn't a Polish one.
Remember there were mass population movements and most of the pre-war inhabitants of Gdansk left at the end of the war or just after. The people there who share your surname may well have come from somewhere else. Have you seen the surname map on moikrewni.pl?
jon357
18 Jul 2014
Genealogy / Looking for city of Siedlitz, Poland [17]
It could be various places in that case. Some names of towns were altered. If it was the Siedlitz near Gdansk, it wouldn't have said Poland on, since that had long been part of Prussia and in any case is only a tiny place however there's a good chance that whoever wrote out the certificate referred to Siedlce (near Warsaw) as Siedlitz. The others are just little villages. About the one that's now in Ukraine, I know nothing except it was probably a small place.
You should maybe concentrate your research on the town of Siedlce.
It could be various places in that case. Some names of towns were altered. If it was the Siedlitz near Gdansk, it wouldn't have said Poland on, since that had long been part of Prussia and in any case is only a tiny place however there's a good chance that whoever wrote out the certificate referred to Siedlce (near Warsaw) as Siedlitz. The others are just little villages. About the one that's now in Ukraine, I know nothing except it was probably a small place.
You should maybe concentrate your research on the town of Siedlce.